Switch adapter



April 12, 1949.

c. F. OBERSCHMIDT 2,466,820

SWITCH ADAPTER Filed Jan. 4, 1947 INVENTOR. CARL F OBERSCHMIDT BY ZW ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an adapter device for converting a conventional electric toggle light switch into a pull string operated switch, and more particularly relates to a lever device mounted adjacent the switch and connected to the toggle arm' of the switch whereby the toggle is switched on and off by manipulation of the lever.

The invention, generally described, comprises a supporting base, with a lever thereon, mounted in position on a wall adjacent to the arm of the toggle switch which is engaged by the lever. The base is advantageously slotted to fit over the tog-' gle arm and be secured in position by screws which fit into the switch device and hold the face plate thereon. The lever is pivoted to the base and can be advantageously associated with the toggle by means of a recess formed in the lever through which the end of the toggle projects for being actuated by the lever. A guide may be conveniently provided on the base for the lever to make same more secure.

The lever is manipulated by a pull cord fastened to each opposite end of the lever for manipulating the switch on or oil. Or the two pull cords may be fastened to one end of the lever with an attachment associated with the device for pulling the end of the lever in a direction opposite to that to which it is pulled by the other cord.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a switch adapter embodying the invention mounted on a wall;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the adapter unit;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an accessory attachment for the unit; and

Fig. 4 is a view of the adapter unit and accessory attachment mounted on a wall.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts, numeral 1 is a conventional facing plate for an electrical toggle light switch manipulated to on and off position by a toggle arm 2. The facing plate is secured in position by screws 3 which project through the plate and are screw-threaded to some part of the switch beneath the facing.

The adapter, generally referred to by numeral 4, comprises a metal base which is slotted at 5 to accommodate the end of the toggle arm 2 which projects therethrough. Recesses 6 are arranged in spaced relation to register with recesses in the facing plate whereby the same screws that fasten the facing plate to the wall are used to fasten the adapter.

Side flanges l and 8 are bent at an angle to the base with the flange ii carrying a portion Hi to which a lever I I may be pivoted at I2. The opposite flange may advantageously be slotted at l3 for the end of the lever to project through and be guided in the slot. The guide slot, while preferred, is not essential and may be omitted if desired.

Strings or cords [4 are fastened to the ends of the lever, recesses l5 being advantageously provided for this purpose.

An attachment l6 may be used, with the adapter, with one cord arranged thereon for pulling the end-of the lever upwardly whereas another cord, on the same end of the lever, may be used for pulling the lever downwardly. The attachment comprises a base I! with a perforation 18 through which a holding screw is projected. The attachment may be integral with the base plate of the adapter or separate therefrom and, held in place by one of the screws which is used. for mounting the adapter. The attachment carries a tubular portion l9 through which the cord I4 is threaded. A pull on the free end of the cord which is threaded through the tube will lift the end lever and the other cord is to pull the end of it downwardly, thereby turning the toggle switch on and ofi.

The adapter device is especially suitable for converting the conventional electric light wall switch to a pull cord operated switch. A pull cord switch is much more easily manipulated by small children or even by adults. Then, too, the on and off pull cords may be of different color, or otherwise contrasted, to more readily distinguish them.

The base plate for the lever, the lever and the attachment maybe made from any material, such as metal or molded plastic material. All can be of relatively light or thin material and reenforced, if desired, and embossed with one or more ribs or beads. The flanges on the base plate function to re-enforce it and ordinarily no re-enforcing head or rib is required in addition to the flange, but one or more re-enforcing beads might be advantageously formed along the length of the lever.

While I have shown and described the adapter made of metal, it may, of course, be made of other material. Also various changes in details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An adapter device for operating a toggle arm electric switch comprising a plate adapted to be mounted adjacent the arm of the switch having a perforation therein for attaching the plate to the switch, and a lever pivot-ally connected to the plate and connected to the arm of the switch for manipulating same on and off.

2. An adapter device for operating a toggle arm electric switch comprising a plate adapted to be mounted adjacent the arm of the switch, a lug at an angle to the plate, and a lever pivoted to the lug and connected to the arm of theswitch. for manipulating same on and off;

3. An adapter device for operating an electric switch comprising a plate adapted to be mounted adjacent the arm of the switch, a lug at an angle to the plate, a guideway on the plate spaced from the lug, a lever pivoted to the lug with one end projecting through the guideway, and; a.v means connecting the lever to the lug.

4. An adapter for operating an electricsWitc-h comprising a plate having a slot therein adapted tpgbe mounted over a switch with the arm of the switch projecting through the slot, a lever piv- QtBd to the plate, and a guideway for the lever remote from the pivoting means.

5,. adapter for operating, an electric switch comprising aplate having a slot therein adapted tpbe mounted over a switch with-the arm of the switch projecting through the slot, spaced-apart flanges, provided on the plate, one of which is slotted-to provide aguideway, and a lever pivoted to one of the flanges and projecting through the lqtted guideway of the other flange.

61 An attachment for a switch adapter through, WhiChfl. D1111 cord'is threaded, comprising a plate having-an arcuate guideway-for a pull; cordand.

a pull cord having opposite free ends projecting from the guideway for reciprocating said cord relatively to the guideway.

7. An adapter device for operating an electric switch comprising a plate having a recess therein adapted to be mounted over a switch with the operating arm of the switch projecting through the recess, means for fixing the plate in position adjacent the switch arm, a lever pivoted to the I plateand provided with meansfor engaging the arm of the switch, and means for holding the CARL F. OBERSCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'rnN'rs Number Name Date,-

1,031,399 Tirrill July 2, 1912; 1,677,692 Stokes V July 17,1928. 1,721,222 Kaminsky V July 16, 1929,- 2,389,220 Tredeau Nov; 20,1945; 2,418,006 Bangert Mar; 25, 1947 

